Method and apparatus for molding articles containing inserts

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for mass-manufacturing elongated hollow plastic objects, such as covers for electronic thermometer probes, and ball point pens, having inserts at the ends thereof. The inserts are automatically loaded, by vibrating the same into pockets and then lifting them out of the pockets into suction tubes which pass through a horizontal transfer plate into nests in a vertical transfer plate. Vacuum is employed to maintain the inserts in the nests during movement of the vertical transfer plate to positions adjacent the distal ends of hollow core pins through which air is sucked. The vacuum in the vertical transfer plate is then converted to pressure to cause the inserts to fly across the air gaps to the core pin ends, following which the inserts are maintained on such ends by suction. The mold is then closed to cause the inserts to engage spring-biased plungers, following which the plastic is injected.

United States Patent 1 1 3,719,396 VanDeWalker et al. 1 March 6, 1973METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk MOLDING ARTICLESCONTAINING INSERTS Inventors: Roger D. VanDeWalker; Blair E.

Howe, both of Costa Mesa, Calif.

California Injection Molding C0,, Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif.

Filed: Oct. 8, 1970 Appl. No.: 79,191

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Schult ..302/2 R Piel ....198/33AA Koch et a1. ..198/24 Assistant Examiner-W. Scott CarsonArmmey-Gausewitz, Carr & Rothenberg [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatusfor mass-manufacturing elongated hollow plastic objects, such as coversfor electronic thermometer probes, and ball point pens, having insertsat the ends thereof. The inserts are automatically loaded, by vibratingthe same into pockets and then lifting them out of the pockets intosuction tubes which pass through a horizontal transfer plate into nestsin a vertical transfer plate. Vacuum is employed to maintain the insertsin the nests during movement of the vertical transfer plate to positionsadjacent the distal ends of hollow core pins through which air issucked. The vacuum in the vertical transfer plate is then converted topressure to cause the inserts to fly across the air gaps to the core pinends, following which the inserts are maintained on such ends bysuction. The mold is then closed to cause the inserts to engagespring-biased plungers, following which the plastic is injected.

9 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTED [H975 SHEET 10F 8 LOAD/5E (O/VTEOL MEANS INVENTORS E065 0 V/WDE WALKER 504/? E HOWE PAHZN'IHH-HR 61m3,719,396

SHEET 8 OF 8 V/BPA TOE) FEEDER EOWL V/BFA TOE MEANS CONTROL mvzsmons.FOOEE 0. VAA/OEWAL/(EE gLA/P E. HOWE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDINGARTICLES CONTAINING INSERTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to the field of injection moldingmachines and the like, and of apparatus and methods for effectingautomatic loading of inserts into the molds of such machines.

2. Description of Prior Art The feeding of inserts into molding machinesfor ball point pens is the subject of US. Pat. Nos. 2,380,042 and2,896,250. In addition to such patents, the following patents disclosemeans for feeding inserts into injection molding machines: US. Pat. Nos.2,518,850; 2,579,951; 3,018,519; 3,293,693; 3,423,792.

The following patents relate to the pneumatic feeding of articles forvarious purposes other than injection molding: US. Pat. Nos. 3,275,191;3,410,607; 3,448,236.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Stated generally, one aspect of the inventionrelates to a relationship between pockets, combination gate and liftingfingers, vacuum passages and vibratoryfeeder means adapted to effectautomatic loading of inverted cup-shaped inserts through suction tubesinto individual nests in a vertical transfer plate. In passing throughthe tubes into such nests, the inserts travel through a horizontaltransfer plate adapted to move horizontally between a position closelyadjacent the vertical transfer plate and a position spaced therefrom. Inaccordance with another aspect of the invention, the inserts aremaintained in such nests by means of suction and during movement of thevertical transfer plate from a loading position to a discharge positionregistered with elongated hollow core pins. When the vertical transferplate is in discharge position, the inserts are propelled through theair across a space between the nests and the core pins, such propulsionbeing effected by an air blast applied to the nests. Air is suckedthrough the hollow core pins in order to provide combined effectsincluding cooling of such core pins, thus eliminating the need for watercooling, and maintaining the inserts on the core pin ends during closingof the mold. The inserts seat on biased piston elements adapted toprovide scaling functions and also ejecting functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric viewschematically representing the injection molding machine, the transferplates associated therewith, and the means to supply inserts to suchtransfer plates and thus to the core pins in the molding machine, thevertical transfer plate being in its loading position above the molds;

FIG. 2 is a view, partially in side elevation and partially in verticalsection, showing the vertical transfer plate in its discharge positionbetween the mouths of the mold cavities and the distal ends of the corepins;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing an outside surface of the loaderbox which is adapted to receive the the upper left in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the broken line 44 of FIG.3,'the vertical transfer plate being in its loading position, thehorizontal transfer plate being spaced from the vertical;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view corresponding generally to a portionof the central region of the showing of FIG. 2 but after the verticaltransfer plate has moved upwardly from between the molds, said figureshowing schematically the fluidics and the vacuum source;

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5 except that it shows the mold in closedcondition, the schematic showings of the vacuum source and the fluidicsbeing omitted;

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIGS. 5 and 6 but shows the parts in the strippingposition, the showings of the vacuum source and fluidics being againomitted;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view representing a core pin in longitudinalcentral section and in the position assumed immediately prior to seatingof an insert on the springbiased plunger;

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged, fragmentary view corresponding to theright portion of the showing of FIG. 8, but after the mold elements havecome fully together so that the insert is seated on the spring-biasedplunger;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view showinghow the inserts are propelled through the air from their nests in thevertical transfer plate to seats on the distal ends of the core pins;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view showing schematically the valvemeans for effecting alternate application of vacuum and pressure to thenests in the vertical transfer plate;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to a left regionof FIG. 4 but showing the horizontal transfer plate after shiftingthereof to the position at which the tube ends seal around the nests inthe vertical transfer plate;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 13- 13 of FIG. 4,showing the manner of distribution of air to the nests in the verticaltransfer plate;

FIG. 14 is an exploded schematic view of the mold elements, the stripperplate being shown in stripping position;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the face of the female moldelement;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view, primarily in section, showingthe parting-line region of the mold when in closed condition;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the vibratory supply (feedingand loading) means which is indicated in diagrammatic block form at theupper left portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the supply means, partiallyin elevation and partially in section; and

FIG. 19 is a transverse sectional view on line 1919 of FIG. 18.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although it has variousother important uses, such as (for example) in the manufacture of ballpoint pens, the present method and apparatus will be described inconnection with the manufacture of elongated hollow covers 20 (FIG. 7)for the probes (not shown) of electronic thermometers. Such electronicthermometers are adapted to determine the temperatures of patients inhospitals, etc., in an extremely short period of time and with digitalinstead of analog readout. Prior to the taking of the temperature ofeach patient, one of the present covers 20 is mounted over the probe,following which a metal insert 21 at the end of the probe cover istouched to the tongue of the patient, following which the digitalreadout is noted and the probe cover thrown away or recycled.

In the manufacture of such a product, and in the manufacture of otherproducts such as ball point pens, it is extremely important that thecycle time of the molding apparatus be minimized. With the presentmethod and apparatus, the cycle time in the mold may be reduced toapproximately seconds or less, which means that a sixteen-cavity moldmay produce one of the present probe covers each second.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the inserts 21 are generally cup-shapedobjects each having a varying wall thickness. The wall thickness is suchas to make the inserts nose-heavy and very unstable, so that they tipover easily when fed along a vibratory surface as described relativetoFIGS. 17-19. The varying wall thickness of each insert 21, and the cupshape thereof, are such as to tend to make the inserts fly through theair with their noses oriented forwardly instead of rearwardly.

Each insert 21 is very small and light. For example, each insert mayweigh 0.03 grams. The diameter of the rim or mouth portion of eachinsert may be 0.150 inch, whereas the length of each insert may be 0.175inch. The inserts are formed of aluminum.

Provided at the rim of each insert, as shown in FIG. 10, is aradially-outwardly extending bead or flange 22 adapted to be embedded inthe plastic which is molded in manufacturing the probe cover 20. Theinterior wall of each insert 21 is generally conical, as indicated at23. Such conical relationship tends to cause the inserts to stack andnest relative to each other if they are not maintained separate at alltimes. After any such stacking it is very difficult to separate theinserts from each other.

The plastic body 24 (FIG. 7) of each probe cover is generally tapered,the end of the probe cover remote from insert 21 being open. The body isprovided with a step or shoulder at 25. The body 24 may be formed of asuitable molding material, namely a thermoplastic synthetic resin suchas medium-impact styrene.

The apparatus employed for mass-manufacturing the probe covers 20includes an injection molding machine (press) which may be of variousconstructions. The injection molding press schematically illustrated inthe present drawings includes a fixed support 27 (mounted by suitablemeans, not shown) which is rigidly secured by tie bars 28 to thestationary platen 29 of the press. The moving platen 31 of the press isadapted to slide on the tie bars 28 when actuated by an actuating meanssuch as the hydraulic cylinder 32 shown in FIG. 1. Cylinder 32 has anassociated piston rod 33 (FIG. 2) which extends slidably through support27.

It is to be understood that the present showing is only schematic, andthat the cylinder 32 may actually comprise a more complex togglemechanism adapted to apply great pressures to the moving platen 31. Thecylinder 32 or other actuating means is suitably controlled by themolder control means represented in block form (FIG. 1) at 34.

The control means 34, like all of the control means schematicallyrepresented in the present application, preferably forms part of aunitary over-all control circuit which makes the entire operation fullyautomatic, so that the operator merely stands by the machine and watchesfor malfunction. Since such over-all control circuit and mechanism formno part of the present invention, and since the various controloperations for the cylinder 32 and other portions of the apparatus maybe performed by hand (as by the operators actuation of suitable valvesand switches), no description of the over-all control circuit will beprovided.

The side of the press incorporating the stationary platen 29 is normallythe hot side of the press. Such hot side incorporates the feed hopperfor the plastic, the heating means for the plastic, and the plasticextruder which forces hot plastic into the mold means describedhereinafter. Referring to the right side of FIG. 2, a portion of theextruder and associated nozzle is represented at 35. These elements areassociated with an injection control means represented in block form at36, such means determining the amount of plastic which is injected andalso determining the times of injection (preferably under the control ofthe overall automatic control circuit indicated above).

A first (female) mold element 37 is fixedly mounted on the stationaryplaten 29, this being the element which defines the elongated parallelcavities 38 in which the probe covers 20 are molded. Such cavities havemouth portions 39 disposed remote from the stationary platen 29 andrespectively adapted to receive elongated core elements (core pins) 40.Such core elements or pins 40 are parallel to each other and areregistered with the cavities 38, being mounted in cantileveredrelationship on a second (male) mold element 41 which is rigidlysupported on the moving platen 31.

In the illustrated mold means 37-41 there are 16 cavities, it beingunderstood that a greater or lesser number could be employed. The 16cavities are provided in four vertical rows (FIG. 14) with four in eachrow. The mold 37 (and the ejector plate described below) are providedwith suitable means to conduct hot plastic from the extruder and nozzlemeans 35 (FIG. 2) to the various cavities 38. Such means includesrunners 42 (FIGS. 14-16) and tunnel gates 43.

The second or male mold element 41 is on the ejector side of the press(as distinguished from the hot side thereof). Such element 41 not onlymounts the core pins 40 but also mounts leader pins 44 adapted to beintroduced into bushings 45 (FIGS. 5-7) in mold element 37 in order tomaintain the molds in precise alignment.

The leader pins 44 perform the additional function of mounting insliding relationship a stripper plate 46 having openings therein throughwhich the core pins 40 project. The stripper plate 46 is operatedbetween a retracted position (FIG. 5) and an extended position (FIG. 7)by means of one or more cylinders 47 shown schematically in FIG. 2. Asuitable control means, indicated in block form at 49 in FIG..2, isassociated with cylinders 47 in order to control the operation thereof.The stripper cylinders 47 are mounted on the moving platen 31, bysuitable means (not shown), and have rods which connect to plate 46.

Plate 46 operates not only as a stripper but as part of the mold means,since it closes the mouths of cavities 38 when the mold means are closedas shown in FIGS. 6 and 16. The openings in plate 46 then receive thecore elements 40 in very snug-fitting relationship.

In addition to the core pins 40 and leader pins 44 which are mounted incantilevered relationship on male mold element 41, puller pins 51 (FIG.16) are mounted thereon and extend slidably through corresponding boresin the stripper plate 46. The puller pins have tapered end portions 52which are provided with undercut grooves and which extend into certainregions of the runners 42 when the mold means are closed (FIG. 16).

In the operation of the apparatus as thus far described, and withoutreference to the various apparatus and mechanisms associated with theinserts 21, the hydraulic cylinder 32 (FIG. 1) is operated by controlmeans 34 to shift its piston rod 33 (FIG. 2) and thus movable platen 31to the right until core pins 40 are inserted into the elongated moldcavities 38 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 16. The stripper plate 46 is at thistime fully retracted, and operates (as described above) to close themouths 39 of cavities 38. The injection control means 36 (FIG. 2) thenoperates to extrude hot plastic through extruder and nozzle means 35into a central port 53 (FIG. 14) in mold element 37. Thereafter, theplastic passes through runners 42 in both the mold element 37 and thestripper plate 46 until it reaches the tunnel gates 43 (FIG. 16) andthus fills the cavities 38. The mold element 37 is then cooled by asuitable means, not shown, which effects shrinkage of the resultinghollow plastic articles onto the core pins 40.

The molder control means 34 (FIG. 1) is then operated to pull the corepins 40 out of cavities 38 and to pull the undercut pin ends 52 (FIG.16) out of the mold element 37. Due to the undercut relationships at thepin ends 52, there is pulled from mold element37 the solidified runnerportions shown at 54 in FIG. 14. Furthermore, the solidified hollowobjects (probe covers move outwardly with the core pins 40 (due to theabove-indicated shrinkage thereon) and also due to the operation ofspring-biased plungers described hereinafter.

The stripper control means 49 (FIG. 2) then operates the strippercylinders 47 in such manner as to shift stripper plate 46 to the right,which strips the probe covers 20 from the core pins 40 as shown in FIG.7. The probe covers 20 and the runner 54 (FIG. 14) then drop into adischarge chute, not shown. In the event there are any hangups, strippermeans associated with the loader 56 (described hereinafter) positivelyactuate the elements down into the chute. During the described ejectoroperations, the element 54 (FIG. 14) is severed from the probe covers 20by shearing at the small-diameter ends of the tunnel gates 43.

The above description of the operation of the injection molding press,without reference to the inserts 21, is given in order to provide abetter explanation of the operation of the loader means, insert-transfermeans, ejector means, etc., described in detail hereinafter. Stated verygenerally, the apparatus for inserting the inserts 21 into the moldingmachine, in order that the inserts will be present in the ends of theprobe covers 20 Llu as described above, includes five main components.The first of such components is the loader, which is representedgenerally at 56 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and which includes components whichmove in and out from between the mold elements 37 and 41 in order toeffect seating of inserts 21 on the distal ends of core pins 40 prior tomolding. The second of such components is the means for applying vacuumor suction to the core pins 40 to draw air therethrough and therebyachieve two major results, namely: (a) cooling of the core pins in theabsence of water cooling to thereby greatly shorten the cycle time ofthe molding apparatus, and (b) maintenance of the inserts 21 in seatedpositions on the core pin ends after the inserts are shot through theair from components of the loader 56. Such vacuum means is indicatedschematically in various views, namely in FIG. 8 and FIG. 5, at 57.

The third of the indicated components is the plunger means 58 best shownat the right in FIG. 8 and also shown in in FIG. 9. Such plunger means58 maintains the inserts 21 firmly seated on the distal ends of the corepins during molding, provides seals insuring that the plastic moldingmaterial will remain in the desired locations, aids in ejecting theprobe covers 20 from the mold 37, and provides communication to thefluidic sensing apparatus indicated below.-

The fourth of the indicated components is the fluidic sensing andcontrol means represented in block form at 59 in FIG. 5. Such means iscritically important to the achievement of high-speed molding operationswithout frequent stoppages and breakdowns, and is described and claimedin copending patent application Ser. No. 79,174, filed Oct. 8, 1970, nowUS. Pat. No. 3,677,688, for Fluidic Sensing for Molding System, inventorRoger F. Etherington. The disclosure of such copending patentapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein as though setforth in full. By use of the fluidics 59, it is assured that one andonly one insert 21 will be provided on each core pin 40 prior tomolding, and it is also assured that each insert will be removed fromthe mold element 37 subsequent to molding.

The fifth of the indicated components is the supply means representedschematically in block form at 61 in FIG. 1 and also at 610 in suchfigure. The supply means effect automatic feeding of inserts 21 to theloader means 56, and are hereinafter described in detail with referenceto FIGS. 17-19 of the drawings.

The loader 56, the vacuum means including source 57, the plunger means58, and the supply means 61 and 610 are described in detail hereinafterunder separate subheadings, as are the methods associated with suchcomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF LOADER 56 AND ASSOCIATED METHOD The loader 56comprises, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vertical yoke 63 which isrigidly mounted on the upper surface of the first molding element 37.Mounted in suspended relationship from the upper (horizontal) portion ofyoke 63 is a cylinder 64 the piston rod 65 of which extends slidablythrough such upper portion. A generally U-shaped frame or loader box 66is fixedly mounted on yoke 63 and extends therefrom toward the support27. A bearing block 67 (FIG. 2) is also rigidly secured to yoke 63.

A vertical transfer plate 69 is mounted for movement from a loadingposition (FIG. 1) between bearing block 67 and the opposed wall ofloader box 66, to a discharge position between the distal ends of corepins 40 and the mouths 39 of cavities 38 (FIG. 2). To thus move thevertical transfer plate 69 between its loading and discharge positions,vertically movable frames are provided and comprise vertical supportmembers 70 to which the transfer plate 69 is secured, and verticalshafts 71 which are rigidly connected to the upper and lower ends ofsuch support members 70. The shafts 71 extend slidably through thebearing block 67 to thereby provide a rigid relationship assuring thatthe vertical transfer plate 69 will be positioned precisely.

The upper ends of the vertically movable frames formed by elements 70and 71 are secured by a connector lug 72 to the upper end of piston rod65 for cylinder 64, whereby operation of the cylinder will raise andlower the transfer plate 69 as indicated. Suitable loader control means,indicated in block form at 73 in FIG. 1, are associated with thecylinder 64 and also with the pneumatic circuitry associated with thetransfer plate 69 and described hereinafter, to thereby control the sameas indicated below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sizes of the vertically movable frames 70-71,and the size of the vertical transfer plate 69, are such that thisassembly may readily fit between mold element 37 and the core pin endswhen the mold is in the illustrated open condition. The outer face 75(FIGS. 2, 4 and of plate 69 is then spaced a substantial distance,namely approximately two-tenth inch, from the extreme distal ends ofcore pins 40. As described hereinafter, it is a feature of the inventionthat the inserts 21 are shot through the air gap across such space tothe core pin ends, thereby eliminating the necessity of causing thevertical transfer plate 69 to move horizontally at any time,particularly while it is present between the mold elements 37 and 41,with consequent decreases in the expense and complexity of the apparatusand in the cycle time.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, stripper lugs or ears S are mounted at thelower ends of the described vertically movable frames. Such lugs are sopositioned that they move downwardly between the vertical rows of corepins 40, thereby assuring that the probe covers 20 (FIG. 7) and runners54 (FIG. 14) will not hang up but will instead drop out of the press.

The loader apparatus 56 further comprises a horizontal transfer plate 76which is located in the vicinity of the vertical transfer plate 69 whenthe latter is at its loading station (FIGS. 1 and 4) with loader box 66.Means are provided to move the horizontal transfer plate between a firststation spaced from the vertical transfer plate 69 as shown in FIG. 4,and at which there is no interference with movement of the verticaltransfer plate into or out of the mold, and a second station adjacentthe face 75 of such plate. Such means include leader pins 77 mounted onplate 76 and extending through suitable bushings in box 66 to therebyguide the plate 76. Such means further comprise compression springs 78(FIG. 4) which are seated between box 66 and the heads of screws 79.Screws 79 extend slidably through clearance openings in box 66 and arethreaded into the plate 76. There is thus provided a bias which tends tomaintain plate 76 in engagement with box 66 until the plate 76 ispositively actuated toward plate 69.

The means for actuating horizontal transfer plate 76 away from theadjacent wall of box 66, and toward plate 69, includes an actuator pin81 which extends freely through an opening (FIG. 4) in box 66. Pin 81 isadapted to be engaged and shifted by a lug 82 on moving plate 31 whenthe mold moves toward closed condition. The positioning of lug 82 issuch that, when the mold is closed, horizontal transfer plate 76 isshifted sufficiently close to vertical transfer plate 69 that theextreme ends of suction tubes of conduits 83 will be in sealingengagement with surface of plate 69 and will enclose nests in such plate69, as shown in FIG. 12 and as described below.

Referring particularly to FIG. 12, and to the left side of FIG. 4, thesuction tubes 83 are plastic tubes the internal diameters of which aresufficiently large to slidably receive the inserts 21. The tubes 83extend inwardly through oversize openings 84 in box 66 and into fittings86 which are threaded into plate 76. The tubes 83 extend completelythrough the fittings 86 and through the plate 76, and extend a slightdistance from the inner surface of the plate 76 for sealing contact withsurface 75 of plate 69 as shown in FIG. 12. Because of the fact that theends of the tubes 83 protrude and sealingly engage surface 75 asdescribed, a relatively high suction may be drawn on the tubes 83 toeffectively move inserts 21 therethrough over a substantial distanceeither vertically or horizontally.

The suction tubes 83 extend to the insert supply means 61 and 61adescribed below relative to FIGS. 17-19, and schematically representedin FIG. 1, which supply means 61 and 61a are preferably located at eyelevel or therebelow and on the floor adjacent to the molding machine.Because the apparatus 61-6la is vibratory in nature, and because theopening and closing of the press creates shock, it is important that themeans 61-6la be isolated from the press. Such isolation is effectivelyachieved by the tubes 83 which are the only connections between thesupply means and the other components of the press.

It is emphasized that the supply means 6l-6la may be located at a lowlevel, for example 4 feet below the loader box 66. This is to becontrasted with various types of apparatus wherein gravity is employedto effect feeding of inserts, so that the insert supply must be at ahigh and inconvenient level.

Since, in the presently illustrated apparatus, the mold employed is al6-cavity mold, there are 16 tubes 83 extending from the loader 56 tothe supply means 61-61a. The ends of the tubes 83 remote from the loaderare arranged in a row as described below, whereas the ends adjacent theloader are spaced and oriented correspondingly to the spacing andorientation of the core pins 40 and mold cavities 38.

Provided in the outer face 75 of the vertical transfer plate 69 are amultiplicity of seats or nests 88, FIGS. 4, l0 and 12, such seats ornests also serving as insertejecting means when plate 69 is in thedischarge position of FIG. 2. The seats or nests are orientedcorrespondingly to the ends of tubes 83, that is to say correspondinglyto the orientation of the core pins 40 and cavities 38.

As best shown in FIG. 10, each nest 88 is shaped to receive one insert21 in relatively loose, non-binding relationship, withthe rim of theinsert 21 facing outwardly. Each nest 88 is sufficiently shallow thatthe rim of the insert 21 seated therein is disposed a short distanceoutwardly from surface 75. The insert rim (when the insert is seated innest 88 as shown at the right in FIG. 10) is, for example, aboutthree-sixteenth inch from a plane which is perpendicular to the axis ofcore pin 40, and which contains the extreme end of such core pin.

The edge portion of each nest is rounded, as shown in FIG. 10, in orderto prevent damage to the inserts when they emerge from the suction tubes83.

Each nest communicates through an elongated, relatively small-diameterpassage 89 with a manifold passage 91 formed in the vertical transferplate 69. The manifold passages 91, in turn, communicate through othermanifold passages 92 and 93 (FIG. 13) with a central port 95a leading toa two-way valve 95.

As schematically represented in FIG. 11, valve 95 includes a chamber 94which communicates through port 95a with the interconnected manifold andother passages. One end of such chamber 94 is connected to a source 95bof vacuum, whereas the other end of such chamber is connected to source96 of pressure.

A double poppet 97 is movably mounted in the chamber 94 for actuation byan actuator 98 and an associated spring. The actuator is controlled by asuitable pilot which may form a part of the loader control means 73illustrated in block form in FIG. 1. The vacuum source 95b is a sourceof relatively high vacuum, for example about inches of mercury, whereasthe pressure source is a source of air pressure at approximately 125psi.

The controls for valve actuator 98 are so operated that, during thegreat majority of time, the double poppet 97 is in the illustratedposition permitting the vacuum source 95b to communicate with port 95aand thus with the associated passages. Thus, the relatively high vacuumis drawn on the 16 passages 89 and on the nests 88 to maintain theinserts 21 seated in such nests as desired. Furthermore, the same vacuumis operative to apply suction to the suction tubes 83 when thehorizontal transfer plate 76 is in the position of FIG. 12, the ends oftubes 83 then being seated on surface 75 of the vertical transfer plate69. As described above, this suction draws the inserts 21 through tubes83 from the insert supply apparatus 6l-61a.

When the vertical transfer plate 69 is in the discharge position shownin FIG. 2, the valve means 95 (FIG. 11) is momentarily shifted from theillustrated position to the position at which the vacuum source isblocked, and the pressure source 96 communicates with port 95a and thuswith the associated passages. This condition prevails for only afraction of a second, and causes a blast of air to pass through port 95aand passages 93, 92 and 91 (FIG. 13) to passages 89 and thus to nests88, thereby forcibly ejecting the inserts 21 from such nests andpropelling them through the air gaps to the seat means disposed oppositethereto (FIG. 10). Stated more definitely, the seat means comprises thedistal ends of the core pins 40 and which are specifically adapted tomaintain the inserts 21 seated, as described under the followingsubheading.

The passages 89 are long in comparison to their diameters, havinglengths many times their diameters, in order that the air blaststherethrough will be substantially laminar. Each laminar air blast isdirected to the center of each associated nest 88 to thus effectivelypropel the insert 21 through the air without tending to cause the sameto tumble. It is emphasized that the insert 21 flies rim-first orbackwardly, as shown in FIG. 10, and that aerodynamic and other factors(including the relatively nose-heavy weight of the insert) tend to causeit to tumble in the air as is not desired.

It is important that uniform air blasts be delivered simultaneously toall inserts in all of the nests 88. It is for this reason that thearrangement shown in FIG. 13 is provided, the port a being centrallylocated and communicating through large and uniform passages with all ofthe passages 89 which extend to the nests 88. Since the air blasts arereceived simultaneously at each nest 88, there is no undesired ventingof air with consequent uneven effects relative to the various inserts.

VACUUM OR SUCTION MEANS (AND METHOD) FOR COOLING THE CORE PINS 40 ANDFOR MAINTAINING INSERTS 21 SEATED THEREON Referring particularly toFIGS. 8, 10 and 5, each of the core pins 40 is caused to be hollow,there being a bore formed axially therethrough and terminating in acentral opening 101 at the extreme distal end of the pin. Furthermore,as shown in FIG. 8, the case or proximal end of each core pin 40 isprovided with an O-ring seal 102 and seated on a manifold plate 103.Such plate 103 has a plurality of passages 104 communicating with therespective bores 100 and also has a manifold passage 106 whichcommunicates with the above-indicated vacuum or suction source 57. Suchsource 57 is a source of relatively high vacuum, such as 20 inches ofmercury, and may be the same source indicated at 95b in FIG. 1 1.

Suction is thus applied continuously to the core pin bores 100 andeffects continuous sucking of air into openings 101 and through thebores 100, thereby effectively cooling the core pins despite the absenceof any cooling water passages. The necessity for providing cooling wateron the ejector side of the mold is thereby eliminated, with consequentsubstantial simplification of the design of the molding apparatus.

It is emphasized that the cooling of the core pins is highly importantsince, unless the core pins are cool when the plastic is injected intothe molding cavities, the plastic will not solidify rapidly. The moldcycle time would, in the absence of effecting cooling, be greatlyincreased, with consequent large reduction in the production rate ofeach molding'apparatus. As above indicated, the present moldingapparatus has a cycle time on the order of 15 seconds, including all ofthe loading and ejecting functions and including the time required forthe plastic to solidify in the mold.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the portion of the mold which provides a seatfor the insert 21, after the same has been propelled out of nest 88, isthe extreme distal end of the core pin 40. Such distal end has a beveledor conical surface 107 the angle of which corresponds to the angle ofthe interior surface 23 of insert 21. The included angle represented inFIG. 10 relative to surface 107, and also surface 23, is preferablyabout 15 (each of the indicated inclined lines being 7% from thehorizontal).

When the inserts 21 seat on the surfaces 107, the differential in airpressure is immediately created thereacross due to the application ofsuction to bores 100, and this differential in air pressure maintainsthe inserts firmly in seated positions until after the core pins (withthe inserts thereon) have been introduced into the mold cavitiesandseated on the plunger means 58 as shown in FIG. 9. This is similar tothe operation whereby the inserts are maintained seated in the nests 88due to the air pressure differential thereacross created by applicationof suction to the passages 89.

THE PLUNGER APPARATUS 58 (AND ASSOCIATED METHOD) With particularreference to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is provided coaxially at the inner endof each mold cavity 38 a hollow plunger or plug 109 which is slidablymounted in a corresponding recess in mold element 37. Each such plungerhas a neck 110 which extends slidably through a bore in mold 37., suchbore communicating coaxially with the inner end of the cavity 38 andhaving a diameter substantially smaller than that of such cavity.Accordingly, a shoulder 11 1 is provided at the intersection of the boreand the cavity 38.

Shoulder 111 has a sharp circular edge which is firmly abutted by acentral region of insert 21, thereby providing an effective seal againstleakage of plastic out of cavity 38. Referring to FIG. 10, the portionof seat 107 is annularly recessed at U, and directly opposite the statedsharp edge, to permit flexing of the insert body under the very largeforces present in the press. It is therefore assured that the requisiteseals will be formed without any damage to the inserts.

A strong helical compression spring 112 is mounted in the plunger 109and normally maintains the plunger in its extreme left position as shownin FIG. 8, in engagement with a stop surface 113. However, upon completeinsertion of the core pin 40 (with insert 21 thereon) into the cavity38, the inner end of the insert 21 engages the end of neck 110 andcauses retraction of the plunger 109 against the bias of spring 112. Theinsert is thus introduced sufficiently far to create the above statedseal at shoulder 11 l. The plunger is sufficiently short that it neverbottoms on a manifold plate described below.

A passage 114 is provided through the neck 1 10 and through plunger 109,thus effecting communication between the core pin bore 100 (FIG. 8) anda port 115 when there is no insert 21 on the core pin end. The port 115is present in a manifold plate 116 having a manifold passage 117therein, such passage communicating (when no insert is present) with thefluidics means 59 (FIG. as described in the above-cited copending patentapplication. The fluidics means 59 senses when an insert is absent whenit should be present, and also senses when an insert is present when itshould be absent.

The outer end of neck I 10 is provided with a suitable seat or bevel,indicated at 1 18, adapted to seat the nose of the insert 21.

In operation, the plunger is engaged and retracted by the insert 21during introduction of the core pin 40 into the cavity 38 as describedabove, following which the insert seats on the shoulder 111 to providethe seal. Thereafter, plastic is introduced into the cavity 38 to fillthe same without flowing into the fluidics portion of the apparatus. Itfollows that the nose region of the insert will be exposed whereas therim of the insert will be embedded in the plastic body 24 (FIG. 7) ofthe probe cover.

SUPPLY MEANS 61 AND 61a (AND METHOD) Proceeding next to a description ofthe insert supply means indicated generally at 61 and 61a in FIG. 1, andshown in detail in FIGS. 17-19, the lower ends of the suction tubes orconduits 83 are mounted in a row, for example by means of theillustrated mounting block 120. The extreme lower end of each tube isdisposed in the same plane as is the extreme lower end of each othertube, such lower ends being cut off perpendicularly to the tube axes.All 16 of the tubes (for the 16- cavity mold) are indicated in FIG. 1,it being understood that the tubes and associated elements are identicalrelative to each mold cavity so that less than 16 may be shown in FIGS.17-19.

An elongated comb 121 is disposed in spaced relationship beneath theplane of the lower ends of the tubes 83, and parallel to such plane. Thedegree of spacing is such that the suction applied to the tubes 83 asdescribed above is insufficient to draw into the tube ends the inserts21 therebeneath, until after such inserts have been mechanically liftedas described hereinafter. To prevent the suction from disturbing theinserts, the spacing between the lower ends of the tubes and the uppersurface of the comb should be equal to about 3 or 4 insert lengths.

One edge of the comb 121 is provided with a row of pockets 122 each ofwhich is sized to receive one and only one insert 21 when the insert isin upstanding inverted relationship as illustrated. The inserts arereferred to as being generally cup-shaped and inverted since the rim ofthe cup faces downwardly. Such pockets have openings or mouths 123 whichpermit the inserts to move transversely into pockets 122 from a row ofinserts. The pockets are sufficiently deep that each insertsubstantially completely fills the associated pocket in which it isdisposed.

The indicated row of inserts is provided on the upper supporting surface124 of a support plate 125, which supporting surface is immediatelybeneath the comb 121. The inserts when moving in the indicated row alongsuch support surface 124 are in abutment either with inserts 21 alreadydisposed in the pockets 122, or

else with abutment surfaces 126 which are provided at the ends of theteeth 127 of the comb 121. Such abutment surfaces 126 are substantiallyparallel to the row of inserts 21. Alternatively, and as describedbelow, some of the inserts in the row (outside the comb pockets) are inabutment with combination gate and lifter elements when the latter arein their upper positions as shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 18 and 19.

It will thus be seen that the inserts 21 are disposed in a first rowwhen they are outside the comb, and are disposed in a second row whenthey are in the pockets 122 in the comb, such second row being parallelto the first row and laterally offset therefrom. When in the second row,the inserts in the pockets 122 are beneath the lower ends of the suctiontubes or conduits 83, such lower ends being respectively registered withthe pockets 122.

Combination lifter and gate elements, indicated above, are provided inthe form of fingers or pins 128 which extend upwardly through bores 129in support plate 125, the diameters of the pins being much smaller thanthe sizes of the pockets 122 whereby the bores 129 will not interferewith support or movement of the inserts 21 on support surface 124. Eachpin 128 is registered with the center of an associated pocket 122.

The fingers or pins 128 are mounted on a connector bar 130 which is, inturn, pivotally supported on lever means 131, the latter being pivotedor fulcrumed at shaft 132 on a support block 133. Actuator means, suchas the illustrated cylinder 134, is adapted through connector means 135to pivot the lever means 131 and thereby lift the bar 130 and all of thefingers or pins. The upper ends of the pins then enter the open bottomsof the inverted cup-shaped inserts, and lift such inserts to thepositions shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 18 and 19. The suction appliedto the tubes 83 as described above is then sufficient to suck theinserts off the pins and thereafter draw the inserts through the tubes83 to the seated positions in the nests in vertical transfer plate 69(FIGS. 12 and The cylinder 134 is controlled by suitable control means,shown in block form at 136 in FIG. 17, and I which is part of theover-all control system mentioned above. The pins 128 move upwardlysufficiently far that the rims of the inserts substantially reach theplane of the lower ends of the tubes.

The row of inserts shown at the left in FIG. 17, and which is disposedoutside of and adjacent the comb 121, moves continuously along such comband longitudinally thereof due to the operation of a vibrator means 137which is associated with the plate 125 and effects continuouslow-amplitude vibration thereof. Such vibration causes the row ofinserts 21 to move along the comb (in a direction to the right as viewedin FIG. 17) due to the fact that the upper support surface 124 isinclined somewhat from the horizontal, so that the inserts move downhill. Referring to FIG. 18, the line 138 represents the horizontalwhereas the line 139 is disposed in the same plane as the upper surface124 of plate 125. The angle of incline indicated by lines 138 and 139may be approximately three degrees.

Correspondingly, the upper surface 124 is inclined in a direction atright angles to the longitudinal incline described relative to FIG. 18,and as shown in FIG. 19. Thus, in such FIG. 19 the line 140 representsthe horizontal whereas the line 141 represents the incline of the uppersurface 124, such incline being sloped downwardly toward pockets 122whereby the vibrating plate 125 will tend to cause the inserts to enterthrough openings 123 into pockets 122. Such incline may be, for example,approximately 9.

The inserts 21 are fed to the left end of the row in FIG. 17 from avibratory feeder bowl 142 which may be of various constructions.Reference is made to column 24 of US. Pat. No. 3,293,693, starting atline 7 and ending at line 25. Such portion of US. Pat. No. 3,293,693,the drawings referred to in such portion, and the patents cited in suchportion, are hereby incorporated by reference herein as though set forthin full.

In the operation of the feeding apparatus of FIGS. 17-19, the vibratoryfeeder bowl supplies inserts continuously to the left end of the rowillustrated in FIG. 17, following which the vibration of plate 125 andthe incline of the surface 124 cause the inserts to pass continuouslyand progressively down hill to the right in FIG. 17 as indicated by thearrow therein. The continuous feeding causes many inserts to pass alongthe full length of the comb 121 following which such inserts arerecycled back to the feeder bowl 142.

Assuming that there are inserts initially in the pockets 122 as shown inFIG. 17, such inserts in the pockets cooperate with the verticalabutment surfaces 126 at the ends of teeth 127 to support the inserts inthe row against lateral movement, whereby the inserts continue to travelto the right as is desired. It is emphasized that should the insertsstop moving, they tend to tip over, particularly since they arerelatively top heavy due to the increased thickness of metal (FIG. 10)at the upper portions of the inserts as distinguished from the lowerportions thereof.

Upon operation of cylinder 134 by control means 136 to lift the pins 128simultaneously, the pins lift the inserts up into the suction tubes asstated above. While the pins 128 are in their upper positions, shown inphantom lines in FIGS. 18 and 19, the inserts in the row adjacent thecomb continue to move to the right as indicated by the arrow. Thoseinserts which are adjacent the pockets 122 may move partially thereinbut they cannot fully enter the pockets due to the presence of theupwardly shifted pins 128. After partially entering the pockets, theinserts move out of the pockets and continue moving in the row (not inthe comb or in the pockets), particularly since the corners of the teeth127 are beveled to prevent the inserts from hanging up on such corners.It follows that the pins 128 not only lift the inserts 21 but operate asgates to prevent full entrance of the inserts into the pockets, so thatthe inserts continue moving in the row and do not tip over.

After the pins 128 shift down to their lower positions, out of thepockets 122, the inserts in the row thereof and which are registeredwith the various pockets pass laterally therein due to the incline shownin FIG. 19 and due to the vibration of plate 125. Those inserts which donot enter the pockets continue moving in the row. The operation is thusrepeated and the pins lifted to cause the pocketed inserts to be liftedup to the suction tube ends.

It is pointed out that the pins cannot lift any inserts which may bedisposed in pockets in upright as distinguished from inverted condition.Thus, the mechanism operates to prevent inserts from entering the endsof tubes 83 open end first instead of nose first which is desired.

The feeding of the inserts through the suction tubes 83 one at a time,as distinguished from passing stacks of inserts through the tubes, ishighly important in that nesting of the inserts is prevented.

Because the inserts are drawn through the tubes by suction, not bypressure, the inserts may be readily lifted for far greater distances.Thus, and as indicated above, the insert-feeding mechanism 61-61a may bedisposed at a relatively low elevation, for example on the floor next tothe molding machine, and is isolated therefrom except by the plastictubes 83 which bend sufficiently to prevent transmission of shock fromthe molding machine into the feeder bowl. Thus, the feeder bowl andfeeder mechanism is not jarred to thereby disturb the extremely lightand top-heavy inserts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF OPERATION Let it be assumed that the apparatus isinitially in the condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the mold being fullyopen. Let it also be assumed that there are inserts 21 located in all ofthe nests 88 in vertical transfer plate 69.

The control circuit associated with the molding press then gives asignal to the loader control means 73 (FIG. 1), causing the cylinder 64to shift the vertical transfer plate 69 downwardly to the position shownin FIG. 2. The valve 95 (FIG. 11) is then operated to the positionopposite the one shown, causing the pressure source 96 to be connectedto nests 88 to thereby propel the inserts 21 through the air to the endsof core pins 40, as shown in FIG. 10, following which the valve 95shifts back to its vacuum position causing vacuum to be applied to allthe nests.

The loader control means 73 (FIG. 1) then operates to shift verticaltransfer plate 69 upwardly to the position of FIGS. 1 and 4.

The molder control means 34 (FIG. 1) is then operated to cause thecylinder 32 to close the press to the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 9,the core pins 40 entering the mold cavities 38 and effecting depressionof the sealing plunger means 58 as described relative to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Assuming that the fluidics 59 (FIG. 5) then senses that all inserts areproperly positioned, the injection control means 36 (FIG. 2) is operatedto inject plastic through the elements (FIG. 2), 53 (FIG. 14), 42 and 43into cavities 38 to fill the same. The cooled core pins and the coolingmeans associated with the mold element 37 then cause rapidsolidification of the plastic.

During injection of the plastic, the fingers 128 (FIGS. 17-19) arelifted by cylinder 134 under the control of control means 136 to liftinserts 21 out of pockets 122 into suction tubes 83. There is thensuction present in such tubes due to the fact that the lug 82 on movingplaten 31 then engages pin 81 (FIG. 4) to shift the horizontal transferplate 76 sufficiently far to cause the tube ends to seal around thenests 88 as shown in FIG. 12. The suction applied through passage 89then operates through tubes 83 to suck the inserts into the nests.

At the end of the predetermined time sufficient to cause solidificationof the plastic, the press is opened under the control of molder controlmeans 34 (FIG. 1), following which the stripper control means 49 (FIG.2) operates the cylinder 47 to shift the stripper plate 46 forwardly andeffect ejection of parts from the press as described relative to FIGS. 7and 14-16. In the event that the stripping is not effective, the nextdownward movement of the vertical transfer plate 69 operates throughlugs S to insure that stripping occurs.

The cycle is then repeated, it being emphasized that air is continuouslysucked through the core pins 40 at all times (except when there areinserts mounted over the openings 101 in the ends thereof) to effectcooling of the core pins as is important for minimized cycle time.

References to vertical and horizontal" in the appended claims, relativeto the vertical and horizontal transfer plates, are not intended to belimitations relative to such directions since such claims are notavoidable by changing the orientation of the molding apparatus and theassociated loader. The words vertical and horizontal' are used, inconnection with such plates, to generally indicate relative directions.

We claim:

1. A method of feeding objects, which comprises:

providing a plurality of pockets which are aligned in a row,

aligning a multiplicity of objects in a second row parallel to saidfirst-mentioned row and laterally offset therefrom,

providing a plurality of lateral pocket openings through which saidobjects may pass from said second row into said pockets and indirections transverse to both of said rows,

providing a plurality of passages having end portions respectivelyregistered with said pockets and spaced above said pockets,

applying sufficient suction to said passages that said objects will besucked upwardly therethrough after said objects are lifted out of saidpockets into said passage end portions, said suction being insufficientto actuate said objects upwardly in the absence of said lifting,effecting vibratory feeding of said objects longitudinally of saidsecond row and in such manner that those of said objects registered withsaid pocket openings will pass laterally therethrough into said pocketsunless prevented therefrom, and

lifting said objects into said passage ends for suctionpassagetherethrou gh.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said lifting step isperformed by combination gate and lifting means which prevent movementof additional ones of said objects completely into said pockets untilcompletion of said lifting step, whereby said objects in said second rowcontinue to move longitudinally thereof while said combination gate andlifting means are disposed in said pockets.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said objects areinverted and generally cup-shaped small objects, and in which said stepof lifting said objects into said passage ends is effected by passingpin elements upwardly into the open bottoms of said objects and therebylifting said objects up into said passage end portions, whereby saidobjects may not be lifted if they are in upright condition instead ofinverted condition.

4. Apparatus for effecting automatic supplying of objects, whichcomprises:

a support element having a generally horizontal upper supporting surfacealong which said objects are adapted to be vibrated,

a comb element provided on said support element above said surface, saidcomb element having a plurality of pockets spaced longitudinallytherealong, each of said pockets being sized to receive only one of saidobjects, said comb element also having teeth separating said pocketsfrom each other, the outer ends of said teeth providing abutments forsaid objects,

vibratory means to effect slow feeding of said objects in a row alongsaid abutments longitudinally of said comb element,

said vibratory means also causing some of said objects to pass laterallyfrom said row into those of said pockets which are unoccupied,

a plurality of conduit means having lower end portions registered withsaid pockets and spaced thereabove,

means to lift said objects out of said pockets and into said lower endportions of said conduit means, and

means to shift said objects through said conduit means to a desireddestination.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 4, in which said objects aregenerally cup-shaped and are inverted, and in which said lifting meanscomprises:

a plurality of combination lifting and gate pins,

one of said pins being registered with each of said pockets,

each of said pins being movably mounted below said supporting surfacefor shifting upwardly through an opening in said support element intoand through a pocket, and

means to shift said pins upwardly through said openings in said supportelement whereby said pins enter through the open bottoms of those ofsaid objects which are in said pockets, said shifting means for saidpins effecting upward movement thereof through distances sufficient tolift said objects to said lower end portions of said conduit means.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said upper supportingsurface is inclined in the direction of slow feeding of said objects andis also inclined laterally of said direction whereby to cause saidobjects to pass into said pockets.

7. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said lower end portionsof said conduit means are spaced a substantial distance above said uppersupporting surface, whereby to prevent any interference with movement ofsaid objects until said combination gate and lifting pins are shiftedupwardly to thereby lift said objects.

8. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said teeth of said combelement are so shaped that objects which move partially into saidpockets while said pins are in upwardly shifted position may move out ofsaid pockets and continue vibratory feeding generally longitudinally ofsaid comb element.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 4, in which said means to shiftsaid objects through said conduit means comprises suction applied tosaid conduit means at the ends thereof remote from said lower endportions.

21mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CER'II'FKIA'IIC 0!" (JOB R I#J(I'II'()NPatent No. 3, 719, 396 Dated March 6, 1973 inven Roger D. VanDeWalkerand Blair E. Howe I MW-n It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In the specification, column 6, line 34, change 3,67%,688" to read---3,677,680--.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) I Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents Lump

1. A method of feeding objects, which comprises: providing a pluralityof pockets which are aligned in a row, aligning a multiplicity ofobjects in a second row parallel to said first-mentioned row andlaterally offset therefrom, providing a plurality of lateral pocketopenings through which said objects may pass from said second row intosaid pockets and in directions transverse to both of said rows,providing a plurality of passages having end portions respectivelyregistered with said pockets and spaced above said pockets, applyingsufficient suction to said passages that said objects will be suckedupwardly therethrough after said objects are lifted out of said pocketsinto said passage end portions, said suction being insufficient toactuate said objects upwardly in the absence of said lifting, effectingvibratory feeding of said objects longitudinally of said second row andin such manner that those of said objects registered with said pocketopenings will pass laterally therethrough into said pockets unlessprevented therefrom, and lifting said objects into said passage ends forsuction-passage therethrough.
 1. A method of feeding objects, whichcomprises: providing a plurality of pockets which are aligned in a row,aligning a multiplicity of objects in a second row parallel to saidfirst-mentioned row and laterally offset therefrom, providing aplurality of lateral pocket openings through which said objects may passfrom said second row into said pockets and in directions transverse toboth of said rows, providing a plurality of passages having end portionsrespectively registered with said pockets and spaced above said pockets,applying sufficient suction to said passages that said objects will besucked upwardly therethrough after said objects are lifted out of saidpockets into said passage end portions, said suction being insufficientto actuate said objects upwardly in the absence of said lifting,effecting vibratory feeding of said objects longitudinally of saidsecond row and in such manner that those of said objects registered withsaid pocket openings will pass laterally therethrough into said pocketsunless prevented therefrom, and lifting said objects into said passageends for suction-passage therethrough.
 2. The invention as claimed inclaim 1, in which said lifting step is performed by combination gate andlifting means which prevent movement of additional ones of said objectscompletely into said pockets until completion of said lifting step,whereby said objects in said second row continue to move longitudinallythereof while said combination gate and lifting means are disposed insaid pockets.
 3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which saidobjects are inverted and generally cup-shaped small objects, and inwhich said step of lifting said objects into said passage ends iseffected by passing pin elements upwardly into the open bottoms of saidobjects and thereby lifting said objects up into said passage endportions, whereby said objects may not be lifted if they are in uprightcondition instead of inverted condition.
 4. Apparatus for effectingautomatic supplying of objects, which comprises: a support elementhaving a generally horizontal upper supporting surface along which saidobjects are adapted to be vibrated, a comb element provided on saidsupport element above said surface, said comb element having a pluralityof pockets spaced longitudinally therealong, each of said pockets beingsized to receive only one of said objects, said comb element also havingteeth separating said pockets from each other, the outer ends of saidteeth providing abutments for said objects, vibratory means to effectslow feeding of said objects in a row along said abutmentslongitudinally of said comb element, said vibratory means also causingsome of said objects to pass laterally from said row into those of saidpockets which are unoccupied, a plurality of conduit means having lowerend portions registered with said pockets and spaced thereabove, meansto lift said objects out of said pockets and into said lower endportions of said conduit means, and means to shift said objects throughsaid conduit means to a desired destination.
 5. The invention as claimedin claim 4, in which said objects are generally cup-shaped and areinverted, and in which said lifting means comprises: a plurality ofcombination lifting and gate pins, one of said pins being registeredwith each of said pockets, each of said pins being movably mounted belowsaid supporting surface for shifting upwardly through an opening in saidsupport element into and through a pocket, and means to shift said pinsupwardly through said openings in said support element whereby said pinsenter through the open bottoms of those of said objects which are insaid pockets, said shifting means for said pins effecting upwardmovement thereof through distances sufficient to lift said objects tosaid lower end portions of said conduit means.
 6. The invention asclaimed in claim 5, in which said upper supporting surface is inclinedin the direction of slow feeding of said objects and is also inclinedlaterally of said direction whereby to cause said objects to pass intosaid pockets.
 7. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which saidlower end portions of said conduit means are spaced a substantialdistance above said upper supporting surface, whereby to prevent anyinterference with movement of said objects until said combination gateand lifting pins are shifted upwardly to thereby lift said objects. 8.The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said teeth of said combelement are so shaped that objects which move partially into saidpockets while said pins are in upwardly shifted position may move out ofsaid pockets and continue vibratory feeding generally longitudinally ofsaid comb element.